Skip the fence—these 5 fast-growing privacy plants do the job

Create a lush oasis, courtesy of Mother Nature.

Backyard privacy is a gift, but building an iron fortress is neither economical nor visually appealing. A much more attractive (and affordable) alternative is growing your own privacy screen with tall plants, dense shrubs, and trees. And if they grow quickly, you’re that much closer to the secluded oasis of your dreams. We asked professional landscapers about their favorite fast-growing privacy plants that lend organic softness while creating a secluded space that’s all your own.

Meet Our Expert

• Heidi Grasman, professional gardener, gardening educator, and co-owner of Garden Crossings
• Kevin Lenhart, landscape architect and design director at Yardzen
• Stephen Hall, gardening expert and eastern regional vice president at Moon Valley Nurseries

American Pillar

• Ideal Zones: 3 - 8 
• Mature Height: 15 to 20 feet 
• Mature Span: 3 to 4 feet 
• Growth Rate: up to 3 feet per year

As its name would imply, the American Pillar is an evergreen tree that grows tall and slender. “This sizing makes a good match for those looking for tall coverage without letting go of square feet,” says professional gardener Heidi Grasman. “It’s usually grown in rows so your year-round coverage can extend to your patio, property line, and windows.” And like all evergreens, it keeps its color in every season. 

Clumping Bamboo

• Ideal Zones: 5 - 11
• Mature Height: 10 to 40 feet
• Mature Span: 3 to 5 feet 
• Growth Rate: up to 3 feet per year (once established)

Bamboo earns awards for being one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. In fact, some varieties can grow 1.5 inches per hour, making it the fastest way to get yard privacy without adding an actual fence. Clumping bamboo, unlike running bamboo, is considered non-invasive, but it still requires lots of maintenance and pruning. Clumping bamboo needs frequent trimming and leaf cleanup, Lenhart says, so keep that in mind when selecting your fast-growing privacy plants.

“It shoots up fast, tall, and dense, and gives you a lush, tropical feel faster than pretty much anything else,” says Kevin Lenhart, landscape architect. “It’s particularly useful in very narrow spaces where other privacy species won’t fit.” 

Indian Laurel Hedges

• Ideal Zones: 9-11 
• Mature Height: 30 to 60 feet (pruned to 10 to 20 feet)
• Mature Span: 10 to 20 feet 
• Growth Rate: up to 4 feet per year

With its broad canopy spread and fast-growing nature, the Indian laurel delivers ample shade and privacy in a backyard very quickly. This ficus tree produces glossy, dark green leaves that naturally grow into a dense hedge.

“Its thick, easy-to-shape leaves also help block wind and reduce outdoor noise, making it a great choice for homes that need more privacy,” says Stephen Hall, gardening expert. “Depending on its size at planting and growing conditions, it is typically well-established within two to three years.” 

Wax Leaf Privet

• Ideal Zones: 7 - 11
• Mature Height: 8 to 12 feet
• Mature Span: 6 to 7 feet
• Growth Rate: up to 3 feet per year

You know those faux greenery options you can purchase at any home goods store? Many mirror the look of the wax leaf privet, but you can grow your own and enjoy the real deal. “Available as both a shrub and a tree, this is a fast-growing evergreen with dense branching and glossy, dark green leaves that quickly grows into a thick, year-round privacy hedge,” Hall says. “In spring to early summer, it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers followed by small black berries that attract birds.” 

Panicle Hydrangea

• Ideal Zones: 3 - 8
• Mature Height: 6 to 8 feet 
• Mature Span: 3 to 8 feet 
• Growth Rate: 2 feet per year

A privacy plant that grows quickly and delivers gorgeous blooms? Say no more. The panicle hydrangea—especially the Quick Fire Fab variety—is one of Grasman’s favorites for obvious reasons. “It has wonderful clusters of flowers that start off as a creamy white hue with hints of a light green that eventually mature to pink and then darken and deepen into a rich berry color,” she says. The thick foliage and bunches of flowers make it an attractive choice for seasonal privacy.

“It is worth mentioning that this is a deciduous shrub that doesn’t provide coverage in the winter,” Grasman says. However, panicle hydrangeas serve as a gorgeous privacy screen throughout the summer and fall.

Read the original article on Real Simple